Spartans Read Together is an annual, all-district book club to build a community of readers within our school district.
Each elementary and preschool family receives a copy of a book to read with their family at home. Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares students to be effective readers, and it is also a fun, worthwhile family activity! Everyone, including students, families, and staff, follows along together. In school, students participate in activities, trivia, and events over the course of three weeks.
Each day, there will be new chapters to read. A reading schedule can be found below to help everyone stay on track!
About Dogtown
Elementary students will receive Dogtown, The New York Times bestseller, Indie bestseller, and Amazon Best Children's Book from beloved authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko and with illustrations by Wallace West. It is at once an uplifting story and a page-turning adventure, sure to find a forever home in readers’ hearts.
Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them.
Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home.
And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way.
Reading Schedule
Can I Be Your Dog?
Students in the Little Spartans Early Childhood program will receive a copy of Can I Be Your Dog? which is a sweet, funny, and heartwarming picture book told through a series of letters from Arfy, a lovable stray dog, as he searches for a forever home. Arfy writes to different residents on Butternut Street, including a family, a butcher, and even the firehouse, hoping someone will adopt him. Each time, he’s politely rejected. Just when it seems no one wants him, Arfy finally finds an unexpected friend who gives him the love and home he’s been dreaming of.
This story gently introduces children to themes of empathy, compassion, and perseverance. It also provides a great opportunity to discuss kindness to animals, pet adoption, and not giving up hope when facing challenges. The playful letter format makes it engaging for young readers, while the emotional journey resonates with families.
Listen to the Podcasts
Tune in on the go, in the car, or even from a mobile device. You can listen to the podcast in the following places:
Scavenger Hunt
Who let the dogs out? There are 12 Spartans Read Together dog signs placed around Sycamore. Your challenge is to find at least 6 of the signs and write down where you saw them. After you have found at least 6 locations, turn this sheet in to the main office at your school to get a small prize and be entered into a drawing for a bigger prize! Scavenger Hunt sheets are due Monday, October 6. If you need a new sheet, please see the Principal's Secretary at your school.
Presenting Sponsors
- Brian Bemis Toyota
- Green Closet Creative
Supporting Sponsors
- American Realty
- Brad Manning Ford
- CMJ IT Solutions
- Sauber Manufacturing
- Shelly's
- Source 1
- Sycamore Dentistree